BEST MALE ATHLETE IN A LEADING ROLE: JEREMIAH LIVINSTON The Westhill guard has been a scoring machine for the Vikings. He opened the season by scorching the nets for 41 points against St. Joseph. Livingston topped that effort with a 43 point night against Central, which had been undefeated and ranked third in the state.

BEST MALE ATHLETE IN A LEADING ROLE: JEREMIAH LIVINSTON The Westhill guard has been a scoring machine for the Vikings. He opened the season by scorching the nets for 41 points against St. Joseph. Livingston

Westhill's Jeremiah Livingston attempts a layup while under pressure from Harding's Malcolm Simmons during their basketball game at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014. Westhill won, 67-50. less

Westhill's Jeremiah Livingston attempts a layup while under pressure from Harding's Malcolm Simmons during their basketball game at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014. Westhill ... more

Westhill's C.J. Donaldson attempts a three-pointer with a leaping Malcolm Simmons, of Harding, in his way during their basketball game at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014. Westhill won, 67-50. less

Westhill's C.J. Donaldson attempts a three-pointer with a leaping Malcolm Simmons, of Harding, in his way during their basketball game at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014. ... more

Wiltons Matthew Shifrin attempts to drive down the lane past the reach of Westhill's C.J. Donaldson during their basketball game at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Westhill won, 51-43. less

Wiltons Matthew Shifrin attempts to drive down the lane past the reach of Westhill's C.J. Donaldson during their basketball game at Westhill High School in Stamford, Conn., on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Westhill ... more

Westhill head coach Howard White talks with CJ Donaldson during the City Championship game against Trinity Catholic at Westhill High School in Stamford on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. Trinity Catholic won, 62-46.

Westhill head coach Howard White talks with CJ Donaldson during the City Championship game against Trinity Catholic at Westhill High School in Stamford on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. Trinity Catholic won, 62-46.

Westhill's CJ Donaldson tries for a layup while under pressure from Trinity Catholic's Neno Merritt, left, and Brandon Wheeler during their City Championship game at Westhill High School in Stamford on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. Trinity Catholic won, 62-46. less

Westhill's CJ Donaldson tries for a layup while under pressure from Trinity Catholic's Neno Merritt, left, and Brandon Wheeler during their City Championship game at Westhill High School in Stamford on ... more

At left, C.J. Donaldson # 3 of Westhill gets past Jim Djema # 20 of Greenwich and CJ Byrd,# 2, also of Greenwich, to score on a layup durng the boys high school basketball game between Westhill High School and Greenwich High School at Westhill in Stamford, Friday night, Feb. 1, 2013. less

At left, C.J. Donaldson # 3 of Westhill gets past Jim Djema # 20 of Greenwich and CJ Byrd,# 2, also of Greenwich, to score on a layup durng the boys high school basketball game between Westhill High School and ... more

The answer lies somewhere in the middle and the result of the ambiguity is one of the most potent backcourts in Connecticut.

Growing up as two of the best guards in Stamford in their age group, Livingston and Donaldson were natural rivals on the court with friends and family choosing sides.

"We have always had competitions with each other," Donaldson said. "Our families used get into it all the time, arguing about who was better. We bring that to the summer and practice, but when we are in the games we play together."

The two used to square off in recreation league games and it was not until playing on the same AAU team that a chemistry and friendship started to form.

Livingston said the competition between the two makes them both better players.

"I push him, he pushes me," Livingston said. "Me and him are best friends off the court and it's like that on the court, too. We both like to win, so we still have a little rivalry, but it makes us both better."

Off the court they can often be found hanging out together, cracking jokes, talking to girls and playing video games.

But mostly, they play a lot of basketball together.

All that basketball has led to the pair sharing a rapport, seemingly always knowing where the other is on the court.

Westhill coach Howard White said having a backcourt as close as Livingston and Donaldson is unique.

"Not only are they practicing at practice but they are working together on their skill set in their free time," White said. "To work on your game individually is one thing but to work on it together is a huge advantage for us."

Livingston -- and MVP candidate -- excels in transition, can shoot from outside, dish to teammates but is maybe the best guard in the league at getting to the basket and getting fouled.

He is also the team's top free throw shooter.

Opponents know the key to stopping Westhill is containing Livingston.

"Jeremiah is a very good player, one of the best guards in the FCIAC" Stamford coach Danny Melzer said after his team beat Westhill on Wednesday. "We knew Jeremiah is very good in transition, so, we tried to limit that, but he's dangerous anywhere on the court."

Livingston may be the focus of opposing teams, but Donaldson has established himself as one of the top point guards in the league and has added the threat of scoring to his arsenal as the season has progressed.

"CJ is the floor general," White said. "He can take over a game and get players in position and distribute the ball. He has also been able to knock down that shot and he gets to the line because of the contact he's drawing going to the basket."

The combination of the two, along with a strong supporting cast, has led Westhill to a 13-3 record and a No. 7 ranking in the state media poll last week.

Most teams have one guard they trust to handle the ball, but the Vikings have confidence in both Livingston and Donaldson taking care of the rock against pressure.

"It's very important to be guard oriented in this league," White said. "To be able to have two guys that can do that takes a lot of the pressure off the rest of the crew. These kids have been through it last year as sophomores, so, it was easier for them coming into this season."

Though Donaldson has looked to score more and Livingston can dish it, the pair is most comfortable with one at point and the other at the two-guard.

"It's a lot of pressure on me to get everybody involved but I like it," Donaldson said.

"It takes a lot off me to have CJ dribble the ball up," Livingston said. "I like (playing the 2) it puts me in a better position to score."

The pair will lead Westhill into the FCIAC and state playoffs as high seeds but when the season is over, they will be found in some sweltering gym in July, going at each other one-on-one.